Grads look ahead; Binkley urges self-reliance to 2007 class.

Byline: Lynne Klaft

LEOMINSTER - School Superintendent Nadine Binkley urged the 393 members of the Leominster High School class of 2007 at commencement exercises yesterday morning to become self-reliant and think beyond the present.

"Albert Einstein said, `A person who never made a mistake, never tried anything new.' He said we can't use the same kind of thinking that caused a problem in the first place," Ms. Binkley said. "His definition of insanity was doing the same thing over and over and expecting change to happen."

Seniors who attended the Center for Technical Education wore an extra tassel for the first time this year.

"I am a second-generation trade student in my family," said Nicholas G. Charette, the highest-ranking CTE student this year. "In my father's day, trade students were looked down upon. Society needs to recognize that technical students are not taking the easy way out. Things are changing today and it's recognized that kids work very hard in CTE."

Valedictorian James J. Leader said, "After four years, we are almost done. I remember being a naive freshman and getting lost from A wing to B wing and actually believing that there was a swimming pool on the third floor. Commencement is comenzar in Spanish, which means to begin ... and we are beginning a new stage in our lives. A wise man once said, forgiveness is divine, but never pay for a late pizza. Be on time, and once you start, you'll find it goes easier than you thought ... Have fun, enjoy life and pursue something that will make you happy."

Salutatorian Jonathan E. Hoyt challenged his classmates "to be the best you can become with hard work."

The class gift was a 6-foot-tall welcome and message board, bearing the Blue Devils mascot, to replace the old one in front of the school.

Seniors Katie Cannon and Julie Tournas sang the class song, "My Wish," to cheers from the graduates: "I hope that days come easy and moments pass slow, and each road leads you where you want to go, and if you're faced with a choice, and you have to choose, I hope you choose the one that means the most to you."

The class of 2007 stood together one last time at the top of the hill in Doyle Field, cheered and threw their graduation caps in the air, surrounded by parents, relatives and friends.

LEOMINSTER HIGH SCHOOL

CLASS OF 2007

Michael Adams, Peter Andrew Agosto, Paola Aranzazu Aguilera-Tello, Zachary Thomas Aikey, Alexandra Lynn Albert, Christopher Blake Alden*, Jennifer Marie Allain...